THE GREAT ESCAPE
Your Great Adventure
- Includes
- Itinerary
- Tour Highlights
- Gallery
- Price & Dates
What's included
Now - 30 April 2025
- ~ 13 nights’ accommodation
- ~ 13 Day Rental Car Hire
- ~ Waitomo Glowworm Caves + Hobbiton Movie Set
- ~ Te Ra / Te Po Evening Cultural Experience
- ~ Art Deco Afternoon Walk
- ~ Te Papa Museum of New Zealand
- ~ North to South Island Ferry Crossing
- ~ Skyline Gondola Queenstown
- ~ Dark Sky Experience
- ~ International Antarctic Centre
- ~ Return international / domestic flight ticket
- ~ Travel insurance
- ~ NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority)
- ~ Others no mentioned
Explore the world with our specially curated travel programs and arrangements. Sedunia Travel specializes in fully personalized travel arrangements to suit each traveling style whether it is Traveling in Group with Like-Minded People with Exclusive Private Arrangements or even Independent Adventures for those wanting to head off the beaten path and explore. Choose from one of our tried and tested classic itineraries or reach out to us to put together a fully tailor-made experience.
- DAY 01
- DAY 02
- DAY 03
- DAY 04
- DAY 05
- DAY 06
- DAY 07
- DAY 08
- DAY 09
- DAY 10
- DAY 11
- DAY 12
- DAY 13
- DAY 14
ARRIVE AUCKLAND
Upon arrival, collect your rental vehicle and self drive to your accommodation. Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, set between two harbours with gentle sandy shores on the east coast and black sand, wild surf beaches on the west coast. Home to sheltered, sparkling blue waters dotted with beautiful emerald islands, we recommend getting out on the water when you are here. Overnight: Auckland.
AUCKLAND – WAITOMO – HOBBITON – ROTORUA
Journey through the rolling green hills of Waitomo and enjoy a tour through an underground wonderland of caves decorated with galaxies of glowworms. Continue to Matamata for a charming tour of unique, character Hobbit homes, gardens and the watering hole just as you see in the movies. Finishing off a visually fulfilling day, continue on to Rotorua, a bubbling and steaming destination like nowhere else. Overnight: Rotorua
ROTORUA
Rotorua is surrounded by a fascinating geothermal landscape with its unique steam vents, spouting geysers and bubbling mud pool set alongside freshwater lakes and majestic native forests. It is also a region immersed in fascinating Maori myths and legends. Late afternoon you'll visit one of the local geothermal attractions for a guided tour through the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, the Kiwi Conservation Centre and the geothermal valley. Then enjoy a Hangi Dinner overlooking the valley and geyser, followed by a 40 minute cultural performance. The evening culminates with hot chocolate and pudding on the geyser terrace. Overnight: Rotorua
ROTORUA – NAPIER
There’s a bit of everything on today’s drive past Great Lake Taupo to Napier. Your scenic journey includes volcanic geography, fresh forest plantations, rugged hills, beautiful valleys, gentle plains and huge vistas. Following an earthquake in 1931, a rebuild saw Napier completely redesigned in the style of the times. Buildings were constructed in the Art Deco style with Maori motifs to give the city a unique New Zealand character. Today, the delightful seaside city of Napier has the extra-ordinary feeling of a time capsule with its seamless line of some of the world's finest 1930's architecture. Enjoy a guided tour of Napier's unique history and architecture. Overnight: Napier
NAPIER – WELLINGTON
Today's travel south may be via the spectacular Manawatu Gorge or through the beautiful Tuki Tuki Valley and Wairarapa Wine region to reach Wellington. Set between a sparking harbour and rolling green hills the compact city of Wellington is best explored on foot. Great shopping, arts culture, cafes and restaurants are all within minutes of the city’s untouched nature spots. Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum offers FREE admission but you might like to include a guided tour for a greater insight into New Zealand's rich history and culture. Overnight: Wellington
WELLINGTON – PICTON – BLENHEIM
New Zealand's North and South Islands are separated by three hours of sensational scenery and ocean fresh air. Departing Wellington, your ship will ferry you across the Cook Strait, past the beautiful beaches, bays and coves of the Marlborough Sounds to the historic port town of Picton. With its rugged mountain ranges and fertile pains, Marlborough has a lot to offer with its water, wilderness and wine. A short drive takes you to the compact town centre of Blenheim. Overnight: Blenheim
BLENHEIM – KAIKOURA – CHRISTCHURCH
The Pacific Coast Road to Christchurch presents one of New Zealand's most dramatic drives with breath-taking mountains on one side and wild pounding ocean on the other. The seaside settlement of Kaikoura is set midway and overlooked by majestic mountains. The unique marine geography at this location provides the perfect environment for Sperm Whales and other marine life. On to Christchurch, a vibrant, ever-changing city with inner city parks and gardens delightfully interwoven by the meandering Avon River. Overnight: Christchurch
CHRISTCHURCH – GREYMOUTH
Depart across the Canterbury Plains, a fertile patchwork made with every shade of green, through the spectacular scenery of Arthurs Pass National Park and on to the West Coast. New Zealand’s rugged West Coast is a wild and untamed place known for its rivers, rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures. Here, mighty rivers of solid white ice, relics of the world’s last ice-age, tumble down the rocky valleys. Overnight: Greymouth
GREYMOUTH – GLACIER REGION
A temperate climate at a low altitude makes Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers among the most convenient to visit in the world. Steep valleys bear scars from where glaciers have retreated and advanced over millennia and here, the ice age is still underway. For an absolute bucket list experience, add a scenic flight with a glacier landing and a thrilling hike to your itinerary. Overnight: Glacier Region
GLACIER REGION – QUEENSTOWN
Travel through wilderness towns, waterfalls and river scenery on today’s scenic journey to Queenstown. We recommend stopping for a break, and to stretch the legs, at Makarora’s Blue Pools. After settling in at your Queenstown accommodation, make your way to the Skyline Base for a Gondola Ride to the top of Bob’s Peak and enjoy some spectacular panoramic views high above Queenstown. You might also like to add some Luge rides to your bucket list for some extra fun. Overnight: Queenstown
QUEENSTOWN
Magnificent vistas and majestic mountains dominate this compact alpine resort town and with such an expansive natural physical environment it is not surprising that Queenstown has been described as the Adventure Capital of the World. Overnight: Queenstown
QUEENSTOWN – MT COOK / TEKAPO REGION
Today’s journey takes you to a scenic wonderland with golden tussocks, snow -capped mountains and turquoise lakes. Hug the shores of beautiful Lake Pukaki to a rugged land of ice and rock, home to Aoraki Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain. Overnight: Tekapo or Mt Cook
MT COOK / TEKAPO REGION – CHRISTCHURCH
Today you’ll enjoy admission to the Darky Sky Project for a greater understanding of the night sky. Be sure to stop for a while at Lake Tekapo where the ‘Church of the Good Shepherd’ takes pride of place against the backdrop of a vivid blue glacier-fed lake. Then continue north east where braided rivers and familiar plains will signal your arrival back into Christchurch. Make a visit to the International Antarctic Centre, Christchurch either today or tomorrow for an icy insight into this astounding continent. Overnight: Christchurch
CHRISTCHURCH DEPARTURE
Arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer or return of your rental car.
- The printed rates include: Basic Daily Insurance and unlimited mileage.
- Duration of Hire is calculated on a 24 hour clock, eg collection midday, return following day by midday constitutes a one day hire.
- Insurance Excess/Liability Reduction: Basic daily insurance is included in the daily rental rate. An excess is payable in the event of an accident or damage to the vehicle. This excess amount may be reduced by purchasing an optional Liability Reduction plan (payable direct to the rental company on collection of vehicle). A credit card imprint is taken for the bond on initiation of the hire and destroyed at the termination of the hire
provided the vehicle is returned in the same condition it left the depot. - Airport Arrivals/Departures: On arrival guests make their way directly to the rental car counter to check in and
collect their vehicle. If an airport counter is not available, alternative instructions will be given in your travel documents. On departure, the vehicle is parked in the rental car allocated parking and keys returned as per instructions in your travel documents. Certain city or ferry locations may charge for drop off outside of regular
hours – this will be advised at the time of booking confirmation (and payable directly to the rental company). - Age Requirements: For most categories, drivers must be 25 years of age or older. For some car categories guests aged 21-25 years are able to hire a vehicle but a surcharge will apply. Please ask your Kiwiway consultant.
- License: A current valid full driver’s license must be provided in English – if the driver’s license from the country
of origin is not displayed in English then an official International Driver’s License must be presented. - Credit Card: A credit card must be provided by the main driver, issued in that driver’s name, on collection of
the rental car. An imprint of the card will be taken, a hold placed on a certain amount (advised by the Rental Car Operator at the time) as security and any charges owing at the end of the hire including extras purchased or unfilled fuel tanks will be charged to that credit card. - Interisland Hires: Vehicles may not be taken onto the ferry. Therefore the hire will terminate in one island and start again with a new vehicle on arrival (eg Picton and Wellington ferry terminals). Guest’s luggage is checked in at the ferry terminal as it would in an airport terminal and the transfer is very easy and hassle-free.
- Additional Extras: All extras are payable by the client directly to the rental car provider on collection of the vehicle but may be pre-booked to ensure the item is reserved:
a) Remote Location Fee (applicable locations will be advised at time of quoting/booking)
b) One-way fee (for hires less than 3 days on most car categories)
c) Baby/Booster Seats – legally required for all children up to approx. 7 yrs. (depending on weight).
d) Ski Racks/Snow Chains (in the Queenstown region snow chains must be carried by law from May to
October)
e) GPS Units not included.
All reservations are subject to confirmation and the rental car company reserves the right to substitute a similar
vehicle if the one reserved is not available.
| Date | Room Type | Single / Twin | Triple | Child (With Bed/ No Bed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCT23-APR24 | Standard (2 pax) | RM15668 / RM10778 | - | RM7228 / RM5388 |
| Standard (3 pax) | RM14458 / RM9568 | RM8788 | RM6408 / RM4788 | |
| Standard (4 pax) | RM13848 / RM8658 | RM8178 | RM5998 / RM4478 | |
| Superior (2 pax) | RM18058 / RM11948 | - | RM7998 / RM5978 | |
| Superior (3 pax) | RM16838 / RM10728 | RM9498 | RM7188 / RM5368 | |
| Superior (4 pax) | RM16228 / RM10118 | RM8898 | RM6778 / RM5058 | |
| First Class (2 pax) | RM20258 / RM13048 | - | RM8738 / RM6528 | |
| First Class (3 pax) | RM19048 / RM11828 | RM10428 | RM7928 / RM5918 | |
| First Class (4 pax) | RM18438 / RM11228 | RM9818 | RM7518 / RM5618 | |
| MAY24~SEP24 | Standard (2 pax) | RM 15808 / RM 11228 | - | RM 7528 / RM 5618 |
| Standard (3 pax) | RM 14368 / RM 9788 | RM 8888 | RM 6558 / RM 4898 | |
| Standard (4 pax) | RM 13658 / RM 9068 | RM 8168 | RM 6078 / RM 4538 | |
| Superior (2 pax) | RM 18958 / RM 12738 | - | RM 8538 / RM 6368 | |
| Superior (3 pax) | RM 17518 / RM 11308 | RM 9998 | RM 7578 / RM 5658 | |
| Superior (4 pax) | RM 16798 / RM 10588 | RM 9278 | RM 7088 / RM 5298 | |
| First Class (2 pax) | RM 21068 / RM 13918 | - | RM 9328 / RM 6958 | |
| First Class (3 pax) | RM 19628 / RM 12488 | RM 10588 | RM 8368 / RM 6248 | |
| First Class (4 pax) | RM 18908 / RM 11768 | RM 9868 | RM 7878 / RM 5888 | |
| OCT24-APR25 | Standard (2 pax) | RM 18698 / RM 13168 | - | RM 8818 / RM 6588 |
| Standard (3 pax) | RM 16968 / RM 11438 | RM 10308 | RM 7668 / RM 5718 | |
| Standard (4 pax) | RM 16098 / RM 10578 | RM 9438 | RM 7088 / RM 5288 | |
| Superior (2 pax) | RM 21968 / RM 14798 | - | RM 9918 / RM 7398 | |
| Superior (3 pax) | RM 20238 / RM 13078 | RM 11418 | RM 8758 / RM 6538 | |
| Superior (4 pax) | RM 19378 / RM 12208 | RM 10558 | RM 8178 / RM 6108 | |
| First Class (2 pax) | RM 24528 / RM 16038 | - | RM 10748 / RM 8018 | |
| First Class (3 pax) | RM 22798 / RM 14318 | RM 12228 | RM 9588 / RM 7158 | |
| First Class (4 pax) | RM 21938 / RM 13448 | RM 11368 | RM 9008 / RM 6728 |
